Murim Login - Chapter 313
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I will re-publish the earlier chapters to fix those issues with the translation. I apologize in advance if it did not meet your standard. Please comment the chapters you find that is lacking in quality so I can fix them ASAP. Thanks for understanding!
Current re-published chapters (270 - 305)
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In Shaanxi, no, in all of Murim, there was no one who didn’t know the name Baek Mu-seong.
As the direct disciple of the Heavenly Sword Master, Baek Mu-seong had been hailed as the future of the Mount Hua Sect since childhood.
Gossipy people with sharp ears and loose tongues often spread rumors about the youngest disciple of the Sword Saint, but even they never doubted that Baek Mu-seong would become the sect leader of Mount Hua.
“I heard that the martial prowess of the Fiery Dragon of Mount Hua already surpasses that of the elders of the Nine Great Sects. As expected of a genius that appears once in a century.”
“Still, no matter what anyone says, the next sect leader will be the Rising Star of Mount Hua. Baek Mu-seong is different. He possesses everything needed to be a sect leader.”
“That’s right. His martial skills are unparalleled, and his character is impeccable. If not him, who else could become the sect leader?”
The people drinking and conversing on the first floor of Seonganru had no idea that the subject of their discussion was passing right behind them.
“I’ve heard of the great deeds of Baek Dae-hyup. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Please, calling me Dae-hyup is too much.”
“No, it’s only right to call a great person a great person. What’s excessive about that?”
Baek Mu-seong responded with a modest smile to the guard’s fervent gaze.
Attention from people was nothing new to him. The burden increased as the Mount Hua Sect’s reputation rose following the seclusion of the Sword Saint Ma Jong-hak.
“Sect leader…”
To Baek Mu-seong, who was only in his early thirties, it was a distant and heavy title.
As he inwardly shook his head, the guard’s steps halted.
“This is the place.”
“This is…?”
“This is the only separate building we have in Seonganru, which we pride ourselves on being the best in Shaanxi.”
Baek Mu-seong looked around the garden adorned with jade and the interior filled with luxurious furniture, showing a slightly troubled expression.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have enough money to use such a separate building. Could you provide me with a quiet room instead?”
“Haha, as expected, you are as frugal as they say.”
The guard laughed heartily before continuing.
“Do not worry. The owner has instructed us not to charge any costs and to treat guests from the Mount Hua Sect with utmost care.”
“The owner said that?”
“Yes, last fall, we had some issues with the Zhongnan Sect, and thanks to the Mount Hua Sect, we resolved them well. The other two disciples of the Plum Blossom Trio played a significant role.”
“Ah, I see. I wasn’t aware since I was in closed-door training at the time.”
“I only heard about it as well. I’ve only been working here for about a month, haha.”
Baek Mu-seong nodded in understanding.
He hadn’t been idle for the past year.
Meeting extraordinary talents like Cheong Pung and Jin Taekyung had been a huge shock and motivation for Baek Mu-seong. It prompted him to enter a year-long closed-door training.
‘It was a meaningful time.’
The insights he gained during his training made Baek Mu-seong stronger and more profound.
And it wasn’t just him who had changed. The position of the Mount Hua Sect had also risen significantly compared to a year ago.
Even the government officials, heavily populated by the Zhongnan Sect’s secular disciples, sought help from the Mount Hua Sect when problems arose.
‘If the letter from my master is true, it’s no wonder.’
Five days ago, he received a startling message from his master, the Heavenly Sword Master.
The message contained shocking news: a bloodbath at Shaolin, the death of the Dharma King Hong Do, and the revival of the Demonic Cult after several decades. Additionally, there were rumors that the Sword Saint Ma Jong-hak was being considered as the leader of the Murim Alliance.
“The whole region is in an uproar. Even my friends ask if they can get their children into the Mount Hua Sect as secular disciples, seeing their potential in martial arts.”
Baek Mu-seong smiled bitterly, understanding the guard’s subtle hint.
The guard looked over forty, and it was natural for a parent to wish for their child to enter the Mount Hua Sect.
However, Baek Mu-seong played ignorant.
“Well, if fate allows, it might happen. But there’s no need to force them to learn martial arts. At that age, it’s enough to grow up healthy.”
“…Is that so.”
Seeing the guard’s disappointed expression, Baek Mu-seong thought to himself.
‘If only you knew about the imminent bloodshed, you wouldn’t have that look.’
Rumors about the Shaolin bloodbath were already spreading.
However, the existence of the Demonic Cult was still a closely guarded secret. As one of the few who knew, Baek Mu-seong sensed it keenly.
A storm of blood was approaching Murim. Dark clouds would cover the sky, and thousands, tens of thousands of weapons would be scattered along with their owners.
The cries of children who lost their parents and parents who lost their children would echo everywhere.
‘I will prevent such a thing from happening. I, and Mount Hua.’
Everyone in Murim likely felt the same as Baek Mu-seong.
As his mood grew heavier, the guard, puzzled, tilted his head.
“Where is the manager? Manager!”
“Sir, the manager is currently out. Please calm down.”
“Calm down? You expect me to calm down after this treatment?”
“I told you, the separate building is occupied. I’ll guide you to a special room, so please calm down.”
“Shut up! I must use the separate building today, so move aside!”
“Please, sir!”
Crash! Crack!
Amidst the increasing commotion and the sound of breaking wood, the guard frowned.
“Forgive me for this unseemly display. It seems my subordinates didn’t handle things well.”
“No worries. I understand.”
No matter how selective Seonganru was with its guests, it was still a brothel. It was natural for all sorts of people to flock there like insects to flowers.
“It’s only noon, but it seems someone is quite drunk.”
“It happens often. He seems to be a young master from a noble family, but we’ll handle it, so you don’t have to worry, Baek Dae-hyup.”
Baek Mu-seong chuckled and shook his head.
“Haha, it’s alright. You’d better stay here.”
“What?”
“He doesn’t seem like an ordinary noble.”
“What do you mean…?”
The guard stopped speaking.
With the rising commotion, the footsteps rapidly approaching indicated something unusual.
‘A Murim martial artist!’
In the escalating situation, the cries of the guards echoed.
“Stop!”
“You cannot pass beyond this point!”
Seonganru’s guards were highly skilled due to the frequent visits of high-ranking officials. However, even they were struggling to handle the unruly drunkard.
“Where do you think you’re going, you third-rate vagabonds…”
“Argh!”
The guards’ cries and the sound of fast and powerful strikes filled the air, leaving the area silent in an instant.
The drunken footsteps grew closer, breaking the silence.
‘To take down six first-rate martial artists while drunk…’
This was no ordinary expert. This was a supreme master.
As the guard’s face hardened and he reached for his sword, Baek Mu-seong slightly shook his head.
“I’ll handle this.”
“Are you sure? We’ve met a few times, so he might back down for the sake of saving face.”
“You mean…”
“We have a connection from previous generations. Though, it’s not a particularly pleasant one.”
At that moment, a thought flashed through the guard’s mind like lightning.
Zhongnan Sect. And a certain name followed.
“Could it be…?”
Having been a guard at Seonganru for less than a month, he had heard countless rumors about that person.
A figure from the Zhongnan Sect known for his fierce temperament.
As the guard was about to utter a name, the door of the separate building, made of sturdy ebony, shattered into pieces.
A young man with a staggering gait and a flushed face entered, and Baek Mu-seong greeted him with a smile.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Simultaneously,
“What are you doing here?”
The face of Heo So-pyeong of the Zhongnan Sect twisted with rage like a demon.
“Wow! Wow!”
“Please, stop yelling. Everyone’s staring.”
“Hero! There’s some danghwa over there!”
“Damn, are you still not sick of danghwa?”
“No!”
“Then why don’t you open your own shop!”
“Can I go to Sichuan with the danghwa vendor?”
“What the… No!”
“Look! They’re selling noodles! Made with beef broth!”
Cheong Pung, you rascal. Like a bouncing ball, always unpredictable…
I quickly grabbed Cheong Pung by the collar as he rushed towards a street vendor.
“Please, let’s live like normal people. Normal people!”
“Danghwa, noodles…”
“I promise I’ll buy you a feast if you just be quiet and follow me. Okay?”
Of course, I’ll be using the Mount Hua Sect’s money, but it’s all the same anyway.
“We were supposed to pass through here originally.”
We didn’t even need to stop by Xi’an according to our original schedule.
But before we left, the Heavenly Sword Master asked us to visit Xi’an, and since it was Cheong Pung’s hometown, we decided to make a detour.
Having traveled for nearly seven days without proper food or rest, I was looking forward to being treated well and resting for a day.
‘I heard Baek Mu-seong was waiting.’
I hadn’t seen him in over a year.
Before I left Anhui following Jeok Cheon-Gang, Baek Mu-seong said to me,
‘If you ever come to Shaanxi, let me know. I’ll give you a proper reception. Haha.’
When he said he would treat me to a full course, I thought he might be from Busan, but it wasn’t entirely empty words.
Given that we were meeting like this today.
“By the way, where is Seonganru?”
According to a passerby, we just needed to walk down the main road, but the street was so crowded it seemed endless.
As I looked around, dirty fingers pointed to a building in the distance.
“That’s Seonganru.”
“Where? Oh, it really is. How did you know?”
The future king of beggars, Gung Gibang, responded proudly.
“It’s the best begging spot. The leftover food is luxurious, and high-ranking people pass by, so there are many generous donations. Any beggar worth their salt knows it.”
So it’s a hot spot for beggars.
I shook my head and started walking towards Seonganru.
When we arrived at the grand entrance, large enough for ten people to pass through simultaneously, a guard who seemed to belong to Seonganru bowed.
“Sorry, but we’re not open today.”
“What? Is it a holiday?”
“No, we’re open, but there’s a bit of a problem.”
I didn’t expect this.
Glancing to the side, I saw Cheong Pung on the verge of tears.
I bowed slightly and spoke to the guard.
“Is there any way we can enter? We have an appointment. The name’s Baek Mu-seong. You might know him.”
“I told you, we’re… Wait, did you say Baek Mu-seong?”
“Yes. The Rising Star of Mount Hua, Baek Mu-seong.”
Cheong Pung shouted desperately.
“Baek Senior! Where are you, Baek Senior! Can you hear my stomach growling!”
The guard, looking between us, hurriedly opened the firmly shut gate.
“I’ll escort you to the separate building immediately!”
What’s going on?
Why the sudden reaction?
‘Did Baek Mu-seong not show up?’
I was wrong. Following the guard, who almost ran, we arrived at the separate building, nearly in ruins, with Baek Mu-seong waiting for us, sword drawn.
Wow, this is really…
“A full course indeed.”
Murim life is tough.